James Wilbur Adams

Chief Aviation Radioman (Acting), United States Navy

Purple Heart

James Wilbur was the only child of James Marvin and Hazel Davis Adams. They were married 22 Jun 1910 in Springfield, Greene, MO. James M. Adams was employed by the Railroad for most of his working life. He and Hazel divorced before 1930. She and her son moved to Des Moines, Polk, IA before 1930 where she was employed as a seamstress.

James W. Adams married Erma Vivian (?) Adams before 1940. She was a Canadian citizen from Clinton, Province of Ontario. It is believed that the couple had no children. Just prior to James' death at Midway, Erma returned to Clinton, Ontario, Canada to live.

James W. Adams was a high school graduate and draftsman when he enlisted in the US Navy (NSN: 320-85-62) for four years on 5 April 1932 at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS), Des Moines, Polk, IA as an Apprentice Seaman (AS). His mother, Hazel Adams, gave her consent for her son to enlist as he was a minor under twenty-one years of age. He was transferred on 6 April 1932 to the US Naval Training Station (NTS), San Diego, CA for recruit training arriving on 08 April 1932. After he completed basic training, Adams was transferred on 26 July 1932 to the 14 week Radio Operating School at NTS, San Diego for duty under instruction.

On 16 Aug 1932, he was advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c). He completed the course of instruction with a final grade of 98%. He was detached from Radio School on 01 Nov 1932 and transferred to USS Argonne (AS-10) via battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) on 13 Nov 1932 as a Radio Striker. On 3 Mar 1933, S2c Adams was transferred to the USS Antares (AG-10). He reported for duty on board the USS Brant (AM-24) from the USS Antares on 20 Mar 1933. On 30 Aug 1934, his rating changed from Seaman Second Class (S2c) to Radioman Third Class (RM3). On 29 Jan 1935, Adams qualified as a rifle marksman. He was transferred to USS Tern (AM-31) from USS Brant on 12 Sep 1935. He was advanced to Radioman Second Class (RM2) on 28 Feb 1936.

Radioman Second Class (RM2) Adams was honorably discharged from naval service on 03 April 1936 on board the minesweeper, USS Tern (AM-31). RM2 Adams reenlisted in the US Navy on 06 May 1936 for four years at the NRS in Los Angeles, CA whereupon he was transferred to the Receiving Ship (RS), San Diego to await further assignment. On 4 Jun 1936, Adams was transferred as a passenger to the transport ship USS Henderson (AP-1) for further transfer to the USS Black Hawk (AD-9) in Manila, Philippines. Adams reported on board the destroyer USS Parrott (DD-218) on 17 Aug 1936 for duty. Several days later, Adams submitted a request to attend the Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL. He stated that he had completed all the examinations required for entrance to that school on board the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) on 13 Mar 1936. RM2 Adams transferred on 29 Aug 1936 back to USS Black Hawk for duty.

On 30 Nov 1936, RM2 Adams was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal. On 22 Dec 1938, Adams was detached from the USS Black Hawk (AD-9) in Manila, Philippines and transferred via the USS Henderson (AP-1) and then USS Trinity (AO-13) as a passenger to the RS at San Diego. On 08 Jan 1939, Adams became a Shellback after crossing the Equator on board the Trinity while bound for Singapore via the Dutch East Indies.

Adams arrived on 01 Mar 1939 at the RS in San Diego. RM2 Adams transferred from the RS, USS Rigel (AD-13), in San Diego to Bombing Squadron Four (later changed on 01 July 1939 to Bombing Squadron Three (VB-3)) attached to the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) on 19 April 1939. Adams was advanced in rate to Radioman First Class (RM1) on 16 Oct 1939. On 28 Feb 1940, Adams qualified for duty as a radioman in aircraft.

Adams was honorably discharged on board USS Saratoga (CV-3) on 11 April 1940. The following day, Radioman First Class (RM1) Adams, reenlisted at Lahaina Roads, Maui (HI) on board Saratoga. On 8 Nov 1940, RM1 Adams was transferred from VB-3 to the Radio Material School, Naval Research Laboratory, Bellevue, D.C. for a 25 week course of instruction. The course began on 09 Dec 1940 and ended 11 July 1941. RM1 Adams transferred from the Naval Research (Radio) lab, Washington, DC to the RS, New York on 09 Aug 1941. Several days later on 15 Aug 1941, he was assigned temporary duty as an instructor at the US Naval Detachment, Radio School, Clinton, Ontario, Canada (ZED) until 13 Sep 1941. ZED Baker was a radio wave ship to aircraft homing device.

He was detached from ZED on 17 Sep 1941 and on 2 Oct 1941, he reported to the RS, San Diego from the RS, NY. Then on 07 Oct 1941, he was transferred to Transition Training Squadron Pacific in San Diego for further assignment. He was assigned to Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) on 11 December 1941 to duty involving flying. On 12 Jan 1942 RM1 Adams changed his rating to Aviation Radioman First Class (ARM1). He was issued an Acting Appointment (AA) as an Aviation Chief Radioman on 01 April 1942.

Patrol Squadron Forty-four (VP-44) departed from the Naval Air Station, Alameda, CA for Pearl Harbor, T.H., in two divisions of six planes each. The first of these left the United States on March 26, 1942. The second, because of unfavorable weather, delayed its departure until April 12. Ordered to Midway for extended operations, PATRON 44 arrived at Eastern Island on the 22nd of May and began long range reconnaissance flights on 27 May in anticipation of a Japanese attempt to capture Midway Island. During the first few days of June 1942, the VP-23 and VP-44 PBYs based at Midway flew long patrols over the trackless ocean, searching for signs of enemy shipping. Then on 3 Jun came the first surface contact reports from the VP-23 PBY searchers.

The following day, 04 Jun 1942, pilot Lt. (j.g.) Robert S. Whitman and his PBY-5A Catalina from VP-44 was airborne again when he reported contact at 0925 with enemy ships (probably the Japanese Occupation Force), antiaircraft fire, and that his aircraft was being "opposed by two enemy observation planes." Japanese Mitsubishi F1M2 Type 0 float planes from the seaplane carrier Chitose attacked Ltjg Whitman's Catalina about 340 miles west of Midway. During the attack the PBY was set afire. it is not known who was able to land the burning aircraft. It is known that Ltjg Robert S. Whitman (pilot) and Ens. Walter H Mosley (co-pilot) as well as Radioman Third Class (RM3) William H. O'Farrell (gunner), and Aviation Machinists Mate Third Class (AMM3) Clarence J Norby Jr (gunner) went down with the aircraft when it sank. Ens James Hill Camp (observer) was mortally wounded. Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class (AOM2c) Philip L. Fulghum, the PBY’s bow gunner, continued to man his .50-caliber machine gun, and sent one of the attackers away trailing smoke. Then on his own initiative, with a crash imminent, Fulghum released the plane’s two 500-pound bombs. Chief Adams remained at his post sending information that proved crucial to the subsequent rescue of the plane's survivors according to written accounts of the aircraft shootdown found in his service record.

After the plane crash landed in the water, Chief Adams exited the aircraft with the other survivors, but somehow became separated from the group. He was not seen again. Aviation Machinists Mate First Class (AMM1c) Virgil Ruel Marsh (flight engineer), despite the roaring flames, freed a damaged rubber raft from the plane that Aviation Machinists Mate Second Class (AMM2c) John C. Weeks (gunner) repaired while in the water. Fulghum then assisted the survivors including Ens. Lee C. McCleary and Ens. Jack H. Camp into the raft. Several days later, June 6, 1942, a PBY commanded by Ltjg Norman K. Bradley from Patrol Squadron Twenty-Three (VP-23) located the five men in the raft. He safely picked them up and returned them to Midway. Ensign Camp died on Midway of his wounds on 07 Jun 1942. His remains were committed to the sea with full military honors a short distance off Midway. After the battle of Midway, VP-44 returned to Pearl Harbor on 09 Jun 1942.

Chief Adams was declared missing in action on 4 Jun 1942, and he was presumed dead on 5 Jun 1943. His remains were unrecoverable.

Mrs Erma Vivian Adams of 544 Bainbridge Ave, Alameda, CA received a telegram from the Chief of the Bureau of Naval Personnel dated 20 Jun 1942 informing her that her husband, James Wilbur Adams, Aviation Chief Radioman, US Navy, was missing in action in the service of his country.

Chief Adams was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was previously awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

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Chief Adams' family received a commemoration from President Roosevelt. It reads:

“In grateful memory of James Wilbur Adams, United States Navy, who died in the service of his country at Midway Islands, 5 June 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men. (Signed), Franklin D Roosevelt, President of the United States of America)”

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This was the only PBY lost during the Battle of Midway. The crew of 44-P-12 (call sign 8V55):

Adams, James W. ACRM(A) (Radio Operator) (KIA-Drowned after clearing downed aircraft)

Camp, Jack Hill, Ensign (Observer) (Died of Wounds 7 Jun 1942 on Midway)

Fulghum, Philip L., AOM2c (Bombardier/Bow gunner) (WIA - exposure)

Marsh, Virgil Ruel. AMM1c (Flight Engineer) (WIA - exposure)

Mosley, Walter H. Ensign (Co-pilot) (KIA)

Norby, Clarence J. Jr. AMM3c (Gunner) (KIA)

O'Farrell, William H. RM3c (Gunner)(KIA)

Weeks, John C. AMM2c (Gunner) (WIA)

Whitman, Robert S. Lt.(jg) (Pilot) (KIA)

McCleary, Lee Coleman Ens (Navigator) (WIA)

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Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:

None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . “ The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat is the Air Medal.

The majority of the information about Chief Adams' navy career came from his service record that I obtained from the National Archives in St. Louis, MO through the efforts of the research firm, Golden Arrow.

[Bio #101 written by Gerry Lawton (GML470)]